Perceptions and Responses to Climate Change in Paramaribo, Surinam

Abstract

In this study perceptions on climate changes, causes, consequences and responses of individual inhabitants, small farmers and market sellers and the government in Paramaribo, Surinam are outlined. Three response strategies are distinguished; coping strategies, adaptation strategies and alternative response strategies. The study is structured following perceptions on changes, causes, consequences and responses. An Asset and Vulnerability Framework is used to analyze assets and response strategies. Climate changes are presented as climate change phenomena which include sea level rise, glacial retreat (as a contributor to sea level rise), thermal expansion of ocean water and atmosphere, global temperature increase, floods and storms. Reported and outlined season related changes affecting mainly residential Paramaribo and planters (small farmers) are changing weather patterns such as irregular and intensified rainfall and increased unpredictable periods of drought. Institutional responses identified are integrated coastal management (adaptation strategy), implementing early flood warning systems (coping strategy) and elevating homes, the construction of concrete dams along the major rivers including the Surinam River crossing central Paramaribo, development of drought and water resistant crops and on political legal level implementation of a national action plan climate change and a climate law. Responses on individual level have been identified as relocation (alternative response), livelihood diversification (coping strategy), elevating homes (coping strategy) and from an agricultural perspective; crop diversification, crop improvement, crop price adjustment strategy, implementation of pumps for irrigation, elevated field crop growing and growing drought and water resistant crops.